Applicator

ABSTRACT

An applicator for applying creams, lotions, medicine, etc. to the body of a user. There is a sleeve coupled to a textured platform and/or reservoir. The sleeve is shaped and sized to friction fit to a pair of adjacent fingertips of a user and thereby to allow the user to beneficially apply, by fingertip control, fluid/cream/powder/etc. products. The textured platform includes an indented front portion, a reservoir, that is coupled to and/or integral to the sleeve such that when the sleeve is disposed over a pair of fingers, the indented front portion extends forward from the pads of the fingertips. There is also a tab.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of, under 35 U.S.C. §120, and claims priority to, under 35 U.S.C. § 120, U.S. Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 15/485,445, entitled APPLICATOR, by Debi Byrnes etal., filed on Apr. 12, 2017. This invention claims prioritytherethrough, under 35 U.S.C. § 120, to the U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/497,051 to Debi Byrnes filed et al on 8 Nov. 2016,which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to applicators, specifically to hand-heldapplicators of cosmetics, medicines, and related materials.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Various creams, balms, powders, ointments, unguents and the like havebeen applied for centuries to the human body/hair/face for variouspurposes, including but not limited to as cosmetics, medicines, forreligious purposes, and the like. Sometimes the method and manner ofapplication is important. Variations in application may interfere withthe benefits expected from the materials. Further, various materials maybe more or less difficult to apply, to apply consistently, to applysafely, etc.

Accordingly, various devices and techniques for applying materials havebeen developed. Cotton balls/pads is an example of such a development.Cotton pads are generally pads made of cotton which are often used formedical or cosmetic purposes. For medical purposes, cotton pads aresometimes used to stop or prevent bleeding from minor punctures such asinjections or venipuncture. They may be secured in place with tape.Cotton pads are also sometimes used in the application and the removalof makeup. Cotton pads are generally soft enough that they can also beused to clean babies. Despite their name, most modern cotton balls andpads are not made out of cotton at all but are instead made out ofcheaper, bleached synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon. In theUnited States, these products are frequently prominently labeled as“cotton balls.”

In another example, brushes, sponges, dabbers/dabbing pads, gloves, andswabs are often used to apply materials to surfaces. Such brushes/padsare often used to apply blush, foundation, concealer, powder, etc. andfor buffing finished applications. Similarly, such tools may be usedmedicinally to apply antiseptic, topical ointments, medicines to beabsorbed through the skin, and the like. Often an applicator tool islimited in use to one material, as after use some of that materialremains on/in the applicator until/unless cleaned. It is generallyimportant to not mix materials and to be precise with regard toapplication.

Some improvements have been made in the field. Examples of referencesrelated to the present invention are described below in their own words,and the supporting teachings of each reference are incorporated byreference herein:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,251 issued to Davis, discloses a thin-walledprotective glove having a self-contained palmar receptacle for storingvarious materials to be dispensed from the receptacle in response to thewearer's compressing or otherwise agitating the receptacle. Thereceptacle displays tributary conduits extending along the glove fingersto the fingertips and such conduits may have distal terminations throughwhich materials are supplied to and dispensed from the receptacle. Thereceptacle and conduits may have perforations covered with sealingstrips which are selectively removable to permit dispensing of storedmaterial therethrough.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,339 issued to DeForest et al., discloses a bodylotion applicator with an extended applicator head for reaching the backand other portions of the body that are difficult to reach. An elongatearm serves as a handle and conduit for conducting body lotions from aconventional bottle to the applicator head. The applicator head includesa face plate and porous sponge affixed thereto by a retaining ring. Thesponge preferably consists of an outer layer of a small cell, open-cellfoam and an inner body of a large cell, open-cell foam. The sponge isdetachable from the head and is replaceable with a coarse-celledexfoliative sponge or similar sponge assembly.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,362 issued to Page, discloses a multi-functionalcosmetic pad for either absorbing low tension substances from the skinor applying and smoothing new-makeup, comprising a porous low energysurface and crease resisting features for preventing the formation ofcreases, folds, or kinks when the surface is rubbed over the skin. Acosmetic pad in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the inventioncomprises a soft, conformable, and porous polytetraftuoroethylenemembrane layered over a flexible backing. Flaps cutout from a topportion of the backing form a retractable handle for easily gripping andmanipulating the cosmetic pad.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,440 issued to Gruenbacher et al., discloses anapplicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface, saidapplicator including a first side having a first internal surface and afirst external surface, a second side having a second internal surfaceand a second external surface and a flexible film dosing reservoircontaining a product. The flexible film dosing reservoir is disposedbetween said first external surface of said first side and said secondinternal surface of said second side, said product adapted to be release[sic] via application of pressure to said reservoir.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20060178067, by Mangold et al.,discloses a disk or pad-shaped fiber composite article for the care andcleaning of human skin, comprising a non-woven fiber layer which formsone surface of the article and a thermoplastic film layer forminganother surface thereof. The disk is characterised in that in order toform a more versatile fiber composite article, the thermoplastic filmlayer has a porous structure for receiving fatty components of humanskin.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20090317164 by Fukumoto et al.,discloses an applicator of application substances, which can berepeatedly used and can be mounted on various containers, is provided.An applicator comprising: an application surface to be in contact with atarget application surface and a support surface to be in contact with afinger being formed as integrated front and back surfaces; a mountingport matching an opening of an application substance container forhousing an application substance; a discharge port being opened in theapplication surface; and a flow path guiding the application substancefrom the mounting port to the discharge port, penetrating between theapplication surface and the support surface.

The inventions and processes heretofore known suffer from a number ofdisadvantages Which include not being safe for fingers, wasting product,being difficult in product application, being slow in productapplication, absorbing product, failing to prevent finger irritation dueto product exposure, failing to prevent accidental dosing due to productexposure to fingers, not being reusable, failing to reduce irritation,not being accurate in application, failing to provide controlledapplication and dosage of product, failing to allow a user to applyproducts that are less viscous, failing to prevent the product fromsliding off the applicator, failing to provide a natural applicationstyle as opposed to a handle or grip, protecting the fingers fromunwanted odors, failing to provide a consistent application surface, andfailing to allow the user to apply product by feel.

What is needed is an applicator that solves one or more of the problemsdescribed herein and/or one or more problems that may come to theattention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with thisspecification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the presentstate of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currentlyavailable applicators. Accordingly, the present invention has beendeveloped to provide an applicator for manual application of materialsto a user.

In one non-limiting embodiment, there is an applicator, consisting of asleeve that may be shaped to receive a pair of adjacent fingers of auser and/or elastically couple thereabout, the sleeve may be including athicker front-region that may have a tab that may protrude from an openend of the sleeve; and a reservoir that may be disposed in afront-region of the sleeve.

The sleeve may include a closed end that may be opposite the open endand/or the reservoir and may include surface textures that may be shapedto collect material.

The reservoir may be a concave reservoir that may consist of a singlecavity that may have a depth that may be less than 1/20^(th) of itscircumference. The concave reservoir may include a beveled edge that mayform a boundary between a bottom of the reservoir and an exteriorsurface of front region of the sleeve. The beveled edge may have aninterior angle with respect to the bottom of the reservoir greater than90 degrees. The concave reservoir may include a sharp edge that may forma boundary between a bottom of the reservoir and an exterior surface ofthe front region of the sleeve. The beveled edge may have an interiorangle that may be equal to or less than 90 degrees.

It may be that applicator consists of a single molded piece of a singlematerial-type. It may be that the applicator consists of anon-absorbent, elastic, and water impervious material. It may be thatthe applicator consists of one or more materials selected from the groupof materials consisting of: rubber, silicone, and polyethylene.

In another non-limiting embodiment, there is an applicator for manualapplication of non-solid personal care products to a person, comprisinga sleeve shaped to receive a pair of adjacent fingers of a user andelastically couple thereabout, the sleeve including a thickerfront-region; and a textured reservoir disposed in a front-region of thesleeve.

The sleeve may include an open end and/or a closed end that may beopposite the open end.

It may be that the applicator is a single molded piece of a materialthat is non-absorbent, elastic, and/or water impervious material.

There may be a tab that may protrude from an open end of the sleeve. Thetab may include one or more winglets at each side thereof that mayextend backwardly from the tab.

The textured reservoir may be a concave reservoir that may include abeveled edge that may form a boundary between a bottom of the reservoirand an exterior surface of front region of the sleeve. The beveled edgemay have an interior angle with respect to the bottom of the reservoirgreater than 90 degrees. It may be that the textured reservoir is aconcave reservoir that may consist of a single cavity that may have adepth less than 1/20^(th) of its circumference.

In still yet another non-limiting embodiment, there is an applicator formanual application of non-solid personal care products to a person,consisting essentially of a sleeve that may be shaped to receive a pairof adjacent fingers of a user and/or elastically couple thereabout, thesleeve may include a thicker front-region that may have a tab that mayextending outwardly from an open end of the sleeve; and/or a concavereservoir that may be disposed in a front-region of the sleeve.

It may be that the applicator is a single molded piece of a materialthat is non-absorbent, elastic, and/or water impervious material.

It may be that the concave reservoir consists of a single cavity thatmay have a depth less than 1/20^(th) of its circumference and/or thatthe single cavity has a beveled edge forming a boundary between a bottomof the reservoir and an exterior surface of front region of the sleeve.It may be that the beveled edge having an interior angle with respect tothe bottom of the reservoir that may be greater than 90 degrees. It maybe that the concave reservoir includes a first cavity having a secondcavity disposed thereinside. It may be that the concave reservoir iscircular.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that theinvention can be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, amore particular description of the invention briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that areillustrated in the appended drawing(s). It is noted that the drawings ofthe invention are not to scale. The drawings are mere schematicsrepresentations, not intended to portray specific parameters of theinvention. Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered tobe limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawing(s), in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an applicator in operation on a user's fingersapplying product to a user's face, according o one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an applicator in operation on a user's fingersgathering product from a product dish, according to one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective rear-bottom view of an applicator,according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front plan view of an applicator, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top-rear perspective view of an applicator,according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an applicator disposed on the fingers of auser with product disposed within the reservoir of the applicator,according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an applicator collecting materialfrom a dish, according to one embodiment of the invention, showing aclose-up view thereof; and

FIGS. 8-11 show a plurality of front plan views of applicators havingvarying textured reservoirs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodimentsillustrated in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations andfurther modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, andany additional applications of the principles of the invention asillustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant artand having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered withinthe scope of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example”or similar language means that a particular feature, structure,characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an“example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, butdo not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to differentembodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, referenceto the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or morefeatures, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarilyrelated, dissimilar, the same, etc.

Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be consideredindependent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use ofsimilar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore,where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” theidentified embodiment is independent of any other embodimentscharacterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features,functions, and the like described herein are considered to be able to becombined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or artmay direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.

As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,”“characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive oropen-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements ormethod steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the morerestrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”

FIG. 1 illustrates an applicator in operation 100 on a user's fingers122, 124 applying product to a user's face, according to one embodimentof the invention. There is shown a person 110 with an applicator 130disposed on two fingers 122, 124 of a hand 120 of the user.

The illustrated fingers 122, 124 are inserted within a cavity of theapplicator such that the applicator friction fits about the fingers.Having two fingers disposed within a friction fitting cavity of theapplicator allows for enhanced control and finer manipulation of theapplicator. Further, it allows the applicator to act as an extension ofthe fingers of the user, thereby making control thereof more natural andeasier to learn, especially for those with coordination difficulties ordisabilities.

The illustrated applicator is of a single piece of uniform material thatis water impervious, non-absorbent, and flexible, thus friction fittingto the fingers of the user, while not absorbing the materials to beapplied to/by the user. Such a material may be of a rubber, silicone,and/or polymer material (e.g. polyethylene), thereby providing a solidbut flexible application surface and interface with the fingers of theuser that does not absorb materials collected thereon.

In operation, the user gathers material to be applied to the user onto afront region of the applicator and then turns that same front region tothe area where the material should be applied. The user thenbrushes/slides the front region of the applicator against the surfacewhere the material is to be applied to smear/apply the material at thatlocation. The user may use the applicator to continue to apply thematerial in order to spread out the same and/or provide a desiredapplication, such as but not limited to producing an even coating ofmaterial at a particular location.

FIG. 2 illustrates an applicator 130 in operation 200 on a user'sfingers 122 (124 not labeled) gathering product 212 from a product dish210, according to one embodiment of the invention.

The illustrated product dish 210 includes a product/material 212 to beapplied, which the user gathers into a reservoir and/or texturedplatform on a front face of the applicator 130 by sliding the front faceof the applicator across a top surface of the product 212 in a mannerthat allows such material to gather into/about the reservoir. Suchmaterials are generally sticky/tacky creams, lotions, etc. and thereforewill adhere to the reservoir when so contacted by the applicator.

The materials to be applied may vary according to the needs of the user,Such may include one or more cosmetics and/or medications or even othermaterials such as but not limited to fluid applications used inspiritual or religious ceremonies. Non-limiting examples of cosmeticsthat may be so applied include: foundation, blush, powder, creams,gloss, primer, stain, concealer, blemish balm, contour powders/creams,highlights, bronzer, adhesives for application of cosmetics, waxes,gels, polishes, and setting materials. Non-limiting examples ofmedications that may be so applied include: balms, ointments, acnemedication, burn creams, moisturizers, antiseptic creams/lotions/gels,skin absorbent medications (e.g. steroids, hormones), soaps/detergents,antibiotics, antifungal treatments, rash ointments, cold sore ointments,wart/mole removing creams, and skin rejuvenation treatments. Othermaterials that may be applied include but are not limited to essentialoils, ground/mashed herbs, mineral compositions, inks/dyes, ashes, andwaxes. Of note, some of the materials that may be applied may bematerials where, if applied using naked fingers, may cause difficultiesor create issues due to unintended medical dosing through absorptioninto the skin of the fingers, may waste expensive materials (e.g.expensive essential oils), or may otherwise cause problems if appliedjust with the fingers. Similar problems may occur if using cotton ballsor other absorbent materials.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate various views of an applicator, according to oneembodiment of the invention. There is shown an applicator 130 with asleeve 310 having a front region 320 (See FIG. 4, front view) and a rearregion 310 coupled by side regions 340 and bounded on a closed end by atop region 410, whereby forming a cavity 330 within which a user mayinsert two adjacent fingers, thereby coupling the applicator to the user(i.e. friction fit). The front region 320 includes a tab 520 and areservoir 418 having a reservoir bottom 420 circumscribed by a reservoiredge 430. The illustrated applicator allows a user to apply materials tothemselves in an even, consistent manner, with ease, without losingmaterial to absorption within the applicator and without exposing thematerial to the fingers of the user.

The illustrated sleeve 310 is a single molded body of material having afront region 320 coupled to a rear region 310 by side regions 340 and atop region 410. The illustrated front region 320 is thicker than theillustrated side 340 and rear regions 310 The sleeve is shaped andconfigured to receive a pair of fingers of a user and thereby couple tothe hand of the user and allow the user to manipulate and control theapplicator by fingertip actuation. This provides a high degree of easy,natural control while providing a consistently shaped applicationsurface having a reservoir within which material may be stored duringoperation.

The illustrated reservoir 418 is a shallow cavity inset into the frontregion/face of the applicator. The reservoir is bounded by a reservoiredge 430 and the shape of that edge determines some of the operationthereof. Wherein the edge is a gradual curved transition, without anyright angles or acute angles, between the planar front surface 320 and aplanar reservoir bottom 420, the reservoir will easily dispense materialfrom the reservoir, thereby tending to apply thicker layers and needingto be replenished more often than if the reservoir edge has right anglesor acute angles.

The illustrated cavity 330 is of a height 354 and a width 352 andincludes a base 350 against which a user presses their fingers duringoperation. The height may be less than the average height of a humanfinger knuckle so as to friction fit thereto. The width may be less thanan average width of two human finger knuckles so as to friction fitthereto. It may be that the width is about twice the height. It may bethat the height is less than 2.0 cm, 1.9 cm, 1.8 cm, 1.7 cm, 1.6 cm, 1.5cm, 1.4 cm, 1.3 cm, 1.1 cm, and/or 1.0 cm. It may be that a width may beless than about 4.0 cm, 3.8 cm, 3.6 cm, 3.4 cm, 3.2 cm, 3.0 cm, 2.8 cm,2.6 cm, 2.4 cm, 2.2 cm, and/or 2.0 cm. It may be that a ratio of thewidth to the height may be between one or more of 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9,2.0. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4.

The illustrated applicator consists of a sleeve and a reservoir.

The illustrated sleeve is shaped to receive a pair of adjacent fingersof a user and elastically couple thereabout. The sleeve includes athicker front-region having a tab protruding from an open end of thesleeve. The sleeve includes a closed end opposite the open end and thereservoir includes surface textures shaped to collect material.

The illustrated reservoir is disposed in a front-region of the sleeve.The illustrated reservoir is a concave reservoir that is circular. Theillustrated reservoir is a concave reservoir that consists of a singlecavity. It may be that the cavity has a depth less than 1/30^(th);1/20^(th); 1/15^(th); 1/10^(th); ⅕^(th); and/or ⅓^(rd) of itscircumference, and/or is less than 0.05 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, and/or 3 mmdeep, as compared to the planar front surface. The illustrated concavereservoir includes a beveled edge forming a boundary between a bottom ofthe reservoir and an exterior surface of front region of the sleeve, thebeveled edge 430 as illustrated in FIG. 7 has an interior angle withrespect to the bottom of the reservoir greater than 90 degrees. In analternative embodiment, the concave reservoir includes a sharp edgeforming a boundary between a bottom of the reservoir and an exteriorsurface of the front region of the sleeve, the beveled edge having aninterior angle equal to or less than 90 degrees. Such would make iteasier to collect material quickly and would tend to reduce a thicknessof application on the surface where the material is being applied.

In one non-limiting embodiment, there is a sleeve coupled to a texturedplatform and/or reservoir. The sleeve is shaped and sized to frictionfit to a pair of adjacent fingertips of a user and thereby to allow theuser to beneficially apply, by fingertip control,fluid/cream/powder/etc. products. The textured platform may include anindented front portion (reservoir) that is coupled to and/or integral tothe sleeve such that when the sleeve is disposed over a pair of fingers,the indented front portion extends forward from the pads of thefingertips.

Such a sleeve may take various forms, including but not limited to beinga strap, clip, elastic band, wrap, sock, and/or a friction-fitting wingbetween fingertips. The sleeves primary function is to couple thetextured platform to a front portion of the fingertips of the user. Theillustrated front region 320 is a textured platform. Such a texturedplatform may take various forms, including but not limited to havingvariously shaped indented portions (See FIG. 8-11 for non-limitingexamples), could include textures with no indentation, an indentationcould be a ridge instead of a valley (e.g. item 842 of FIG. 11). It maybe that the front region/platform is not thicker than the surroundingmaterial of the sleeve. The sleeve and/or platform may be of a materialthat is non-silicone but still non-absorbent and flexible. The frontregion/platform may be segmented instead of a single planer unit.

It may be that the concave reservoir includes a first cavity having asecond cavity disposed thereinside (See FIG. 8).

There is shown an applicator for manual application of non-solid (e.g.,powder, cream, lotion, liquid, foam) personal care products to a person,comprising a sleeve shaped to receive a pair of adjacent fingers of auser and elastically couple thereabout, the sleeve including a thickerfront-region; and a textured reservoir disposed in a front-region of thesleeve. The illustrated sleeve includes an open end and a closed endopposite the open end. There is shown a tab protruding from an open endof the sleeve. The tab includes winglets 362 at each side thereof thatextend backwardly from the tab.

There may be an applicator for manual application of non-solid personalcare products to a person, consisting essentially of a sleeve and aconcave reservoir. Such an applicator would be lacking in additionalcomponents/structures that would detract from the followingbenefits/purposes of such an applicator: inexpensive, durable, easy touse, easy to control, consistent in application of materials, easy togather materials on a front region thereof, protecting the fingers ofthe user, not absorbing materials, providing a natural style of control,and easy to clean.

There may be an applicator for skin care, medicinal and/or cosmeceuticalskin care products. Such may be different from other applicators in thatit does not absorb the product and a user's fingers do not come incontact with the product being applied. The applicator may bewater-impervious and pliable. Generally, the pointer and adjacent middlefinger of the user are inserted into the applicator. Such protects onesfingers from the ingredients. Such may he a molded piece of material(e.g. silicone, rubber, polyethylene) that has an opening for twofingers to fit in. Such may be thicker on the bottom and may have atexture and/or a small indented area for the product to be placed onduring operation.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an applicator disposed on the fingers of auser with product disposed within the reservoir of the applicator,according to one embodiment of the invention. The illustrated applicator130 is coupled to a hand 120 of a user at the fingers 122, 124. Theapplicator 130 has a body of material 610 stuck thereto within areservoir having a reservoir edge 430. The illustrated applicator isprimed to be used to apply such material 610 as desired, e.g. to theface of the user.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an applicator collecting 700material from a dish, according to one embodiment of the invention,showing a close-up view thereof FIG. 7 omits the fingers of the user tosimplify the illustration and focus on the structure of the applicator.The presence of the fingers of the user within the applicator isimplied.

The illustrated applicator in the midst of collecting material 212 froma dish 210 of such material. While applicant shows such a dish in thefigures, it is understood that an applicator may be loaded withmaterials in other ways, including but not limited to wiping fromanother surface/applicator, squeezing such material out of a tube,dabbing from a surface, applying with a brush/swab, and the like andcombinations thereof. The illustrated reservoir, as the applicator isdrawn backwards across the surface of the material 212, catches thematerial within the reservoir, according to the structuralcharacteristics of the edge 430 in combination with thetackiness/stickiness of the material and thereby lifts a body ofmaterial 710 into the reservoir.

FIG. 8-11 show a plurality of front plan views of applicators havingvarying textured reservoirs. There is shown four applicators 810, 820,830, and 846, respectively from top to bottom, each having differenttextured platforms (i.e. front regions). These may be identified as thefirst 810, second 820, third 830, and fourth 846 illustrated embodimentsof FIGS. 8-11. These are non-limiting embodiments that illustrate avariety of textured platform configurations that may be present in oneor more embodiments of the invention.

The first shows a double bottomed reservoir. This reservoir has a firstedge 812 that leads to a first reservoir bottom 814 that includes asecond concentric edge 816 that leads to a second reservoir bottom 818that is deeper than the first bottom with respect to the planar frontface.

The second shows a beveled edge 824 having an angle with respect to thebottom 822 near a top of the applicator that is greater than 90 degreeswhile having a right-angle edge opposite the beveled edge 824.

The third shows a beveled edge 834 having an angle with respect to thebottom 832 near a top of the applicator that is greater than 90 degreeswhile having a sloped bottom that gradually becomes flush with theplanar front face. Accordingly the illustrated side wall 836 of thereservoir is deeper/higher at the deep end and gradually decreases tonothing going away from the deep end.

The fourth shows an embodiment with no cavities, but instead includes aplurality of protrusions. There is a first set of protrusions 842 near atop portion of the front face that are pill-shaped. There is a secondset of protrusions 844 that includes an array of six bottom-shapedprotrusions opposite the pill-shaped protrusions. Material may begathered between the protrusions and then applied from that state.

It is understood that the above-described embodiments are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentinvention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thedescribed embodiment is to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design ofthis invention. An example is that the exterior shape of the applicatormay be stylized, shaped, textured, and/or may include layers ofdecorative material and/or printing thereon, and/or otherwise decorated.Such may be suited to particular demographics (e.g. kids) and/orstylized to include licensed characters and/or branding.

Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device may beconstructed of a variety of materials, including but not limited tosilicone, plastic, rubber, polyethylene, latex, polyisoprene (i.e.synthetic rubber), and nitrile.

Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above withparticularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed tobe the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size,materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly anduse may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts ofthe invention as set forth in the claims. Further, it is contemplatedthat an embodiment may be limited to consist of or to consistessentially of one or more of the features, functions, structures,methods described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An applicator, consisting of: a. a sleeve shapedto receive a pair of adjacent fingers of a user and elastically couplethereabout, the sleeve including a thicker front-region having a tabprotruding from an open end of the sleeve; and b. a reservoir disposedin a front-region of the sleeve.
 2. The applicator of claim 1, whereinthe sleeve includes a closed end opposite the open end and the reservoirincludes surface textures shaped to collect material.
 3. The applicatorof claim 1, wherein the reservoir is a concave reservoir that consistsof a single cavity having a depth less than 1/20^(th) of itscircumference.
 4. The applicator of claim 3, wherein the concavereservoir includes a beveled edge forming a boundary between a bottom ofthe reservoir and an exterior surface of front region of the sleeve, thebeveled edge having an interior angle with respect to the bottom of thereservoir greater than 90 degrees.
 5. The applicator of claim 1, whereinthe applicator consists of a single molded piece of a singlematerial-type.
 6. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicatorconsists of a non-absorbent, elastic, and water impervious material. 7.The applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator consists of one ormore materials selected from the group of materials consisting of:rubber, silicone, and polyethylene.
 8. The applicator of claim 3,wherein the concave reservoir includes a sharp edge forming a boundarybetween a bottom of the reservoir and an exterior surface of the frontregion of the sleeve, the beveled edge having an interior angle equal toor less than 90 degrees.
 9. An applicator for manual application ofnon-solid personal care products to a person, comprising: a. a sleeveshaped to receive a pair of adjacent fingers of a user and elasticallycouple thereabout, the sleeve including a thicker front-region; and b. atextured reservoir disposed in a front-region of the sleeve.
 10. Theapplicator of claim 9, wherein the sleeve includes an open end and aclosed end opposite the open end.
 11. The applicator of claim 10,wherein the applicator is a single molded piece of a material that isnon-absorbent, elastic, and water impervious material.
 12. Theapplicator of claim 11, further comprising a tab protruding from an openend of the sleeve.
 13. The applicator of claim 12, wherein the tabincludes winglets at each side thereof that extend backwardly from thetab.
 14. The applicator of claim 11, wherein the textured reservoir is aconcave reservoir that includes a beveled edge forming a boundarybetween a bottom of the reservoir and an exterior surface of frontregion of the sleeve, the beveled edge having an interior angle withrespect to the bottom of the reservoir greater than 90 degrees.
 15. Theapplicator of claim 11, wherein the textured reservoir is a concavereservoir that consists of a single cavity having a depth less than1/20^(th) of its circumference.
 16. An applicator for manual applicationof non-solid personal care products to a person, consisting essentiallyof: a. a sleeve shaped to receive a pair of adjacent fingers of a userand elastically couple thereabout, the sleeve including a thickerfront-region having a tab extending outwardly from an open end of thesleeve; and b. a concave reservoir disposed in a front-region of thesleeve.
 17. The applicator of claim 16, wherein the applicator is asingle molded piece of a material that is non-absorbent, elastic, andwater impervious material.
 18. The applicator of claim 16, wherein theconcave reservoir consists of a single cavity having a depth less than1/20^(th) of its circumference and the single cavity has a beveled edgeforming a boundary between a bottom of the reservoir and an exteriorsurface of front region of the sleeve, the beveled edge having aninterior angle with respect to the bottom of the reservoir greater than90 degrees.
 19. The applicator of claim 16, wherein the concavereservoir includes a first cavity having a second cavity disposedthereinside.
 20. The applicator of claim 16, wherein the concavereservoir is circular.